Another update on Pleasant Plain Road insurance claims

FAIRFIELD – New information has come to light regarding the proper procedure for filing insurance claims related to the sticky asphalt on Pleasant Plain Road.

Jason Craun, owner of Mack’s Automotive in Fairfield, said that, after consulting with Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP), residents who had cars damaged from the sticky asphalt on Pleasant Plain Road should obtain one estimate from a body shop that can provide estimates. The body shop will submit that claim to ICAP, and the resident should be contacted soon after, perhaps that same day, to schedule a cleaning.

“That way, these customers don’t have to wait for a check or pay out of pocket, and they can get on the schedule,” Craun said.

Craun said he and Dave Smithburg of Smithburg Automotive are collaborating to clean cars that were damaged on Pleasant Plain Road from sticky asphalt after a chip and seal was applied to the road June 12-13. Rain that weekend caused oil to float to the surface, which caused it to be tracked on tires and get inside wheel wells and undersides.

Jefferson County Engineer’s Office apologized for the sticky asphalt, and agreed to clean any car for free with a hot steamer. The office informed The Union on Tuesday, July 29, that it is no longer washing cars.

The county is no longer directly involved in car cleaning or insurance claims. Melissa Fowler of the Secondary Roads Department told The Union that when someone calls her office with a claim, she takes their name and number and forwards it to ICAP.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com

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